Horse And Bull Rescued From Thick Mud In 2 Separate Incidents In Florida

Rescue crews in Florida responded to two separate calls involving large animals stuck in deep mud in the same area over the weekend, officials said.

Lake County Fire Rescue said crews from stations 110 and 111 responded to two separate calls reporting a horse and a bull stuck in “thick mud” in dried ponds in the Bay Lake area over the weekend.

In the first rescue, involving the bull, the Sumter County Special Operations Team was called in to assist with its specialized training and equipment for large animal rescues. The second rescue, involving the horse, was carried out by Lake County Fire Rescue crews. 

Photos shared by the fire department show the horse trapped in mud up to its shoulders, unable to move. Crews can be seen using shovels to dig around the animal and pallets to stabilize the ground around it. Photos show the bull’s hind end was totally covered in mud, with its front end stuck up to its neck.

“Crews worked carefully to keep the animals calm while assessing the safest way to free them without causing further stress or injury,” the fire department said. “We’re grateful for strong partnerships with our neighboring agencies and the teamwork that helped bring these incidents to a safe outcome.”